Lockable furniture leg

ABSTRACT

A furniture leg which may be locked in an erected position or a retracted position. A first frame is fixedly fastened to the piece of furniture and pivotally receives a second frame having the leg fixedly mounted thereon. A pair of slotted guides mounted to the second frame have a slidable wall mounted thereon which is urged into the slots of the guides by a spring connected to the slidable wall and the second frame. A lever extends through the slidable wall and is fulcrumed against the second frame to move the slidable wall into and out of tapered notches formed in the first frame to lock the leg in an erected position or a retracted position.

United States Patent Kitchen, Sr.

[ Jan. 21, 1975 LOCKABLE FURNITURE LEG [75] Inventor: Francis H. Kitchen, Sr., Lock Haven, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Philip H. Wilkie, Rushville, 1nd. a

part interest [22] Filed: June 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 373,392

[52] U.S. Cl. 108/125, 16/144 [51] Int. Cl A47b 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..108/125,129,131,132, 108/133; 16/144 [56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 818,081 4/1906 Dwyer 16/144 1,188,839 6/1916 Schell 16/144 1,979,568 11/1934 OConnor 108/125 2,372,120 3/1945 Roberson 16/144 X 2,425,162 8/1947 Overbey 108/125 2/1961 Wallin 16/144 3/1964 Van Syoc 1(18/125 X 57 ABSTRACT A furniture leg which may be locked in an erected position or a retracted position. A first frame is fixedly fastened to the piece of furniture and pivotally receives a second frame having the leg fixedly mounted thereon. A pair of slotted guides mounted to the second frame have a slidable wall mounted thereon which is urged into the slots of the guides by a spring connected to the slidable wall and the second frame. A lever extends through the slidable wall and is fulcrumed against the second frame to move the slidable wall into and out of tapered notches formed in the first frame to lock the leg in an erected position or a retracted position.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures LOCKABLE FURNITURE LEG BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: This invention is in the field of furniture and more specifically, furniture with pivoting legs.

Description of the Prior Art: Various types of furniture with pivoting legs are disclosed in the following US. Patents:

1,979,568 issued to .I. B. O'Connor ct 21]; 2,653,066 issued to H. N. Anderson; 2,792,269 issued to W. Vangor; and 3,396,928 issued to R. B. Lay.

Many devices have been provided for pivoting a leg to a piece of furniture, such as a table, wherein the leg may be pivoted from an erected position to a retracted position. Furniture legs have a tendency to become shaky over a period of time whenever the legs are movably mounted to the piece of furniture. The mechanisms for movably mounting furniture legs eventually deteriorate causing the shaky condition of the legs. As a result, relatively complex devices have been provided to alleviate this problem. Disclosed herein is a new and improved device for pivotally mounting a leg to a piece of furniture which is relatively inexpensive to produce and which does not require a large number of parts. The device disclosed herein is particularly advantageous in that means are provided to lock the leg in the erected or retracted positions in such a manner that the leg will not become shaky even over a long period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is a device for pivotally mounting a furniture leg to a furniture piece comprising a first frame fixedly securable to the piece of furniture, the first frame including a first stop and a second stop, a second frame pivotally mounted to the first frame and constructed to fixedly receive the table leg, the second frame being pivotable from a first position locating the leg in an erected position to a second position locating the leg in a retracted position adjacent the piece of furniture, a locking wall slidably mounted to the second frame and being slidable against the first stop to lock the second frame in the first position and slidable against the second stop to lock the second frame in the second position, lever means engaged with the locking wall operable to slide the locking wall to and from the first stop and the second stop, and spring means connected to the locking wall and normally urging the locking wall against a stop but yieldable to allow the locking wall to be moved therefrom by the lever means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved lockable furniture leg.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for pivotally mounting a furniture leg which is relatively inexpensive to produce and which securely locks the leg in the erected position and the retracted position.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pivotally mounted furniture leg which will not become shaky through extensive usage.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a table incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of leg 11 shown in FIG. 1 in the retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end view looking in the direction of arrows 66 of FIG. 2 only with the leg in the extended position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language willbe used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Table 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a top panel having four legs 11 through 14 pivotally mounted therebeneath. Legs 11 and 14 are shown in the retracted position whereas legs 12 and 13 are shown in the extended position. Leg 1] will now be described along with its pivoting mechanism, it being understood that a similar description applies to the remaining three legs and their pivoting mechanisms. A first frame 15 includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel walls 16 and 17 which are integrally connected to the opposite ends of intermediate wall 18. Walls 16 and 18 are fixedly secured by conventional fastening devices to an upraised rail 19 mounted directly to and beneath the top panel 20 of the table.

A second frame 21 is pivotally mounted to frame 15 and includes a pair of opposed side walls 22 and 23 integrally connected to a bottom wall 24. Leg 11 is received between walls 22 and 23 and is fixedly secured thereto by conventional fastening devices. A pair of flanges 25 and 26 (FIG. 2) are fixedly secured to frame 21 and are positioned respectively adjacent frame 21 and wall 17 and adjacent frame 21 and wall 16. Axle 27 is mounted to and extends between walls 16 and 17. In addition, axle 27 projects freely through flanges 25 and 26 thereby allowing frame 21 to be pivoted from a retracted position shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 to the extended position shown in FIG. 6.

A locking wall 28 is slidably mounted within slots formed in flanges 25 and 26. For example, flange 26 (FIG. 5) includes a slot 30 which receives locking wall 28. A pair of ears 31 and 32 (FIG. 6) are integrally attached to the main body 33 of wall 28. Ears 31 and 32 are received into tapered slots formed in walls 16 and 17. For example, wall 17 (FIG. 3) includes a tapered slot 33 for receiving ear 31 of slidable wall 28 when the leg is in the retracted position. Likewise, a second tapered slot 34 is provided in wall 17 for receiving ear 31 when leg 11 is in the erected position. A pair of notches identical to notches 33 and 34 are formed in wall 16 and are aligned with notches 33 and 34 to receive car 32. Notches 33 and 34 formed in wall 17 and the pair of notches formed in wall 16 are tapered so as to tightly receive ears 31 and 32 of locking wall 28 thereby preventing the leg from shaking with respect to the piece of furniture. That is, each notch has a decreasing width which is smaller than the thickness of ears 31 or 32 causing the ears to fit tightly into the notches. A cam surface extends between each notch to guide the appropriate ear as the leg is being pivoted. For example, cam surface 35 (FIG. 3) extends from notch 33 to notch 34 thereby guiding ear 31 as leg 11 is pivoted.

Lever 36 has a free distal end 37 (FIG. 3) and a proximal end 38 (FIG. 4) which is loosely mounted to slidable wall 28. As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of openings 39 and 40 are provided in locking wall 28 for receiving the proximal ends 38 of lever 36. A small flange 36' is formed on wall 28 and receives one end of a helical spring 41 which has its opposite end attached to axle 27. As a result, spring 41 urges wall 28 in the direction of arrow 42 into the slots formed in flanges 25 and 26. The helical spring is yieldable to allow wall 28 to move in a direction opposite of arrow 42 so as to disengageears 31 and 32 from the notches formed in walls 16 and 17 thereby allowing the leg to be pivoted to the desired position. Lever 36 is fulcrumed at location 42 which is the junction between bottom wall 24 and wall 23 as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, by pivoting lever 36 in the direction of arrow 43 (FIG. 4), wall 28 is caused to move in the direction of arrow 44.

Notch 34 of wall 17 and the corresponding notch on wall 16 open horizontally to allow ears 31 and 32 to be positioned therein when leg 11 is in the erected position. Likewise, notch 33 of wall 17 and the corresponding notch of wall 16 open vertically for receiving the ears when the leg is in the retracted position.

Proximal ends 38 (FIG. 6) of lever 36 project inwardly of openings 39 and 40 thereby preventing disengagement of the lever from wall 28. The main body 33 of slidable wall 28 projects into the slots formed in flanges 25 and 26 and is held between bottom wall 24 of frame 2] (F10. 4) and helical spring 41. Flanges 25 and 26 form a pair of guide walls which have a pair of parallel slots for slidably receiving wall 28. The slots formed in flanges 25 and 26 are alignable with notches 33 and 34 and corresponding notches in wall 16 when the frame is pivoted to the two positions corresponding to the erected leg and the retracted leg. Notches 33 and 34 along with the corresponding notches formed in wall 16 form a pair of stops for limiting movement of leg 11 with respect to the piece of furniture.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

'1. A device for pivotally mounting a furniture leg to a furniture piece comprising:

a first frame fixedly securable to said piece of furniture, said first frame including a first stop and a second stop, said first frame includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel walls connected together each of which includes a first notch forming said first stop and a second notch forming said second stop and each further include a cam surface extending between said first notch and said second notch; and,

a second frame pivotally mounted to said first frame and constructed to fixedly receive said table leg. said second frame being pivotahle from a first position locating said leg in an erected position to a second position locating said leg in a retracted position adjacent said piece of furniture. said second frame includes a pair of opposed side walls mounted to a bottom wall;

a locking wall slidably mounted to said second'frame and being slidable against said first stop to lock said second frame in said first position and slidable against said second stop to lock said second frame in said second position, said locking wall includes a pair of opposite ears slidable along said cam surface and into and out of said first notch and said second notch of each of said parallel walls;

lever means engaged with said locking wall operable to slide said locking wall to and from said first stop and said second stop; and,

spring means connected to said locking wall and normally urging said locking wall against a stop but yieldable to allow said locking wall to be moved therefrom by said lever means, said spring means includes a helical spring with one end attached to said second frame and an opposite end attached to said locking wall, said locking wall is held between said bottom wall and said helical spring;

a pair of spaced apart guide walls fixedly mounted to said bottom wall on a side opposite from said opposed side walls, said guide walls having a pair of parallel slots slidably receiving said locking wall secured in said slots by said helical spring, said slots being alignable with each notch in said parallel walls of said first frame when said second frame is pivoted to said first position and to said second position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said lever means includes a lever fulcrumed at a junction between said bottom wall and one of said opposed side walls of said second frame. said lever includes a free distal end and a proximal end loosely mounted to said locking wall, said lever means is operable to move said ears of said slidable wall out of a notch formed in each of said parallel walls when said distal end of said lever is moved toward said second frame pivoting said proximal end and said locking wall outwardly, said first notch opens horizontally and said second notch opens vertically.

3. The device of claim 2 and further comprising:

an axle mounted to and extending between said parallel walls of said first frame upon which said second frame is mounted allowing said second frame to pivot with respect to said first frame, said axle has an end of said helical spring attached thereto, said axle projects through said guide walls of said second frame.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein:

said lever projects through said locking wall adjacent each of said ears, said lever includes projections limiting disengagement of said lever from said locking wall. 

1. A device for pivotally mounting a furniture leg to a furniture piece comprising: a first frame fixedly securable to said piece of furniture, said first frame including a first stop and a second stop, said first frame includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel walls connected together each of which includes a first notch forming said first stop and a second notch forming said second stop and each further include a cam surface extending between said first notch and said second notch; and, a second frame pivotally mounted to said first frame and constructed to fixedly receive said table leg, said second frame being pivotable from a first position locating said leg in an erected position to a second position locating said leg in a retracted position adjacent said piece of furniture, said second frame includes a pair of opposed side walls mounted to a bottom wall; a locking wall slidably mounted to said second frame and being slidable against said first stop to lock said second frame in said first position and slidaBle against said second stop to lock said second frame in said second position, said locking wall includes a pair of opposite ears slidable along said cam surface and into and out of said first notch and said second notch of each of said parallel walls; lever means engaged with said locking wall operable to slide said locking wall to and from said first stop and said second stop; and, spring means connected to said locking wall and normally urging said locking wall against a stop but yieldable to allow said locking wall to be moved therefrom by said lever means, said spring means includes a helical spring with one end attached to said second frame and an opposite end attached to said locking wall, said locking wall is held between said bottom wall and said helical spring; a pair of spaced apart guide walls fixedly mounted to said bottom wall on a side opposite from said opposed side walls, said guide walls having a pair of parallel slots slidably receiving said locking wall secured in said slots by said helical spring, said slots being alignable with each notch in said parallel walls of said first frame when said second frame is pivoted to said first position and to said second position.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein: said lever means includes a lever fulcrumed at a junction between said bottom wall and one of said opposed side walls of said second frame, said lever includes a free distal end and a proximal end loosely mounted to said locking wall, said lever means is operable to move said ears of said slidable wall out of a notch formed in each of said parallel walls when said distal end of said lever is moved toward said second frame pivoting said proximal end and said locking wall outwardly, said first notch opens horizontally and said second notch opens vertically.
 3. The device of claim 2 and further comprising: an axle mounted to and extending between said parallel walls of said first frame upon which said second frame is mounted allowing said second frame to pivot with respect to said first frame, said axle has an end of said helical spring attached thereto, said axle projects through said guide walls of said second frame.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein: said lever projects through said locking wall adjacent each of said ears, said lever includes projections limiting disengagement of said lever from said locking wall. 